“The conditions have been met for the Republican Party of Kentucky to move forward with a presidential caucus in 2016,” Robertson said. “We would like to thank Senator Paul for his effort and due diligence in working to ensure that Republicans across Kentucky will now have an early and relevant say in the 2016 presidential primary process.”

Financing for the caucus, which is budgeted at $500,000, has been a main concern of state Republicans, and Paul has agreed to fund the endeavor.

Paul’s chief strategist on the presidential campaign, Doug Stafford, said the campaign was excited to move forward with the caucus in Kentucky.

“This is great news for Republicans across the Commonwealth who will now play an important part in the presidential primary nominating process,” Stafford said in a statement.

The proposal for a caucus came as a result of a Kentucky law that prohibits candidates from appearing more than once on a ballot. Paul is running for re-election as Kentucky’s junior U.S. Senator in 2016, and he is seeking the White House.

Paul won support for the caucus with a 111-36 secret-ballot vote of the RPK central committee.

On March 5, GOP voters are being told to come to county caucus locations anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to vote for their Republican nominee for president by secret paper ballot, according to the RPK.

Presidential candidates must file their declaration of candidacy with the Republican Party of Kentucky by January 7, 2016. Kentucky’s Republican delegates will be awarded proportionally based on the results of the caucus, according to the rules passed by the RSCC, the press release said.

A Real Clear Politics average of polling shows Paul currently is bringing in 3.3 percent support for his bid for the presidency against a crowded Republican field.

Nick Storm

Nick Storm is the Anchor and Managing Editor of Pure Politics available exclusively on Spectrum News. Pure Politics is the only nightly program dedicated to Kentucky politics. Nick covers all of the political heavyweights and his investigative work brings to light issues that might otherwise go unnoticed, like his coverage of the backlog of DNA rape kits waiting to be tested in Kentucky. Nick is also working on a feature length bio documentary Outlaw Poet: A documentary on Ron Whitehead. Pure Politics airs weeknight at 7 and 11:30 on Spectrum News. Follow Nick on Twitter @NStorm_Politics. Nick can be reached at 502-792-1107 or nicholas.storm@charter.com.